Grand Rapids father of four fatally stabbed with butcher knife, police say

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Family of a man fatally stabbed Tuesday morning on Underwood Avenue believe he was killed while sleeping in his home.

LoRae Robinson, the older sister of 30-year old Rasheed "Rocky" Bryant, said she spoke with another relative who was inside the home where Bryant was sleeping early Tuesday and learned Bryant's girlfriend was upset because of the time Bryant had spent on Facebook in the overnight hours, conversing with the mother of two of his young daughters.

The girlfriend fatally stabbed Bryant after he went to sleep sometime after 2 a.m., Robinson said.

While police have said a 35-year-old woman is in custody after the incident, they say initial investigation shows the victim was likely not sleeping during the attack itself.

The victim was stabbed in the chest with a large butcher knife and later pronounced dead on scene, according to Grand Rapids police Lt. Pat Merrill.

Officers responded to a 911 call that came from the home in the 1000 block of Underwood about 4:28 a.m. May 27.

Police have not yet released Bryant's name, but family spoke of him Tuesday morning.

Relatives of the 30-year-old Ottawa Hills High School graduate gathered in the street hours after the stabbing in disbelief, mourning the loss of a man who had been in charge of grilling for their Memorial Day gathering the evening prior.

The last memories Robinson has of her younger brother are of him with a smile on his face and a spatula in his hand.

The family does not all gather together often, she said, but this Memorial Day, they made it happen — and not just for a wedding or a funeral. The gathering was even more special to Robinson after she recently finished years of studying required to obtain her master's degree.

"It was good to be in a different setting," Robinson said, recalling the joyful time relatives spent together.

She made sure to capture photos as memories of the day and is thankful to have those now, including her younger brother.

"He loved his family, loved his nieces," said Robinson, who is 11 years older than Bryant.

As the older sister, she helped to raise him and gave him advice through the years. Bryant deeply respected her, she said.

He was popular and outgoing, well-liked by family, friends and those he knew in the neighborhood.

Bryant loved his four daughters, all of whom are elementary age.

Robinson dreaded the thought of having to break the news to them of their father's death.